After years of waiting, WhatsApp is finally coming to the Apple Watch. The popular messaging app has released a beta version for users enrolled in the TestFlight program. It gives selected users an early look at how messaging on the wrist might actually feel.
This move has been long overdue. While WhatsApp launched an app for WearOS smartwatches back in 2023, Apple Watch users had no native experience. Now, Meta is finally fixing that gap with a dedicated watchOS version.
The first version of WhatsApp for Apple Watch focuses on important features. Users can read and reply to messages, send voice notes, and react to messages with emojis. Chats are synced automatically with your iPhone, so you will see your most recent conversations, including pinned ones, directly on your wrist.
However, this version still depends on your iPhone. It is not a fully independent app yet. Your phone must be nearby for WhatsApp to work on the watch.
Even so, the early screenshots shared by WABetaInfo show a clean, lightweight interface that feels well-suited for the Apple Watch’s small display.
WhatsApp’s entry into the Apple Watch ecosystem is significant because it fills one of the most requested gaps among iPhone users. For years, Apple Watch owners could only read WhatsApp notifications and send quick replies, which felt like a half-baked solution for an app billions rely on every day.
While the current version is basic, it opens the door for a lot more. In future updates, WhatsApp could add voice and video call alerts, media previews, or even limited status updates viewable from the watch.
It would not be surprising if WhatsApp also integrates with Apple’s Fitness and Focus modes, letting users control notifications during workouts or meetings. If Meta continues expanding multi-device functionality, an eventual standalone version of WhatsApp for Apple Watch seems very likely.
